Benjamin, David and Charlotte are excited to be starting at Polden Bower… and Gracie, the school dog, is excited to meet them.

How do I get to school?

How are you going to get to school?

Some of you will be collected at home and driven into school in a minibus or by taxi. There will be adults on the minibuses who will look after you. The taxi drivers are kind and nice. Some of you will be brought into school by your grown-ups.

When you get to school, there will be adults waiting for you… and Gracie the school dog may be there wagging her tail and eager to see you. Everyone will be pleased to meet you.

“Woof, woof,” says Gracie.

“I love Gracie,” says Charlotte, as she follows the school dog, and a kind adult, into class.

David is walking beside Gracie, and Benjamin is talking with one of the teachers, telling her what he watched on television last night. Benjamin is a big fan of Doctor Who.

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What will I do in school?

What will you like to do in school?

And we have some special rooms that you will enjoy too:

• Sensory room

• Rebound therapy room

• Hydro warm-water pool

Charlotte and David love dressing up and are both wearing firefighter helmets.

Benjamin has stopped reading his book and is now on a swing with his friend Charlie. “Whoooooooo,” they both shout as the adult pushes them.

School is soooo much fun. There is a lovely family atmosphere in school.

Benjamin is reading Gracie a Doctor Who story. Gracie wags her tail when Benjamin talks about Doctor Who defeating the daleks. “I can’t wait to tell my dad about this story tonight,” says Benjamin.

There are lots of exciting, fun things to do, and learn, in school:

• Classroom activities• Working on communication skills using PECs• Looking at books and reading• Mark making and writing• Science• Playing outside with water or sand• Playing in the playground• Playing with Lego

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What else will I do? How will my family be involved with my school?

What are your favourite things to do with your parents or carers?

What games and activities do you thinkyou will enjoy at school?

Charlotte loves playing hide and seek with Gracie and David. She’s counting to 10 while David hides.

“I’m ready,” shouts David, peeping out to see if she is looking yet.

Gracie wags her tail excitedly. She thinks she will be able to sniff out David and help Charlotte win the game. Gracie loves playing games too.

We love having your family come into school to see what you are doing… and join in. Your grown-ups can also get to know other families at the school and make friends. These days are always lots of fun and help us all to feel part of a big family.

There are regular ‘Stay and Play’ sessions where your grown-ups will join you. Charlotte’s mum has come in for a ‘Stay and Play’ session and is having lots of fun helping Charlotte play with water and cups. “Look at this, Mum,” says Charlotte, laughing. “It’s splashing everywhere.”

There are regular parent evenings too, where your grown-ups will hear how well you are doing from your teachers.

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What extra support will I get at school?

What is your favourite meal?

There is always lots of help so you can feel happy and enjoy your time at school. We will look after you, and every child, in all the ways that you need.

We think it is great that you are all different and we celebrate when you do well and support you when you need help.

This means that your teachers will know about your needs, so they will help you use the toilet when you need to go, and help you when you are eating. Benjamin’s teacher is helping him with his meal… it’s his favourite too, peas and chicken.

Charlotte is feeling relaxed, sitting on a cushion while a specialist teacher helps her. “This cushion is super soft and cosy,” says Charlotte.

We have a lot of special teachers who can help in lots of different ways. We even have a ‘Family Team’ who can help your grown-ups.

In the school holidays, we also run holiday clubs, where you can come to school and have fun all day!

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What happens at the end of the school day?

Do you think you will have fun at school?

Messages to your family will be put in ‘pupil planners’, or someone from the school will ring. Children may bring examples of the work they have done on iPads or in their home/school book.

The staff at the school are very accessible. They can be contacted by email, or your family can ring the school. If they have any concerns or anything they want to talk to the school about, they are encouraged to contact the school straightaway.

David, Benjamin and Charlotte are waving goodbye to their teachers. “See you tomorrow,” shouts David, which makes Benjamin and Charlotte giggle.

Sometimes there will be an assembly at the end of the school day.

At the end of the week, we celebrate the ‘Star of the Week’ for each class. The ‘star’ will be a child who has done well, tried hard and been very kind.

On other days, children will listen to a story. It is a nice and quiet time in the day. Benjamin feels very calm, sitting

with his friends while his teacher reads a story. Storytime is his favourite part of the day.

When it is time to go home, everyone will collect their belongings, and your teacher will help you.

Sometimes homework will be sent home: things like books to look at and share with your grown-ups.

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Benjamin, Charlotte and David love coming to Polden Bower… and they think you will too. And you will get to meet Gracie

with her wet nose and her waggy tail!

Polden Bower SchoolBower laneBrIdGwaTerTa6 4GU

Tel: 01278 496386